Washington: Social network site Facebook has launched the internet.org project in India that will allow users access to basic mobile internet services in six states.

According to Tech Crunch, the service, which is run by Internet.org with input from a number of telecom industry partners, has thus far been available in a handful of African countries and Colombia , but now it is making its way to India's billion-plus population.

The app will be available to users in Tamil Nadu, Mahararashtra, Andhra Pradesh, Gujarat, Kerala, and Telangana.

Facebook said in a statement that it was the first step on a path to "provide Internet access to more than a billion people in India who aren't yet connected.